Tuesday, June 17, 2008

6:20 amThe Vermont morning greeting the remaining 94 contestants and the workers of the 51st Annual National Amateur Retriever Championship with overcast skies. The temps are in the mid to lower 60s, but are sure to warm up by the afternoon.Let's hope that the rain gods continue their kindness and keep the rain clouds at bay.10:30 am UpdateThe rain gods must have heard me, for when I left the hotel at 6:40, the sky had cleared and the sun was bright and shiny.4th Series - Water Triple with 2 retired and flyer and HonorThe 4th series was set up on the Hoermann property, located in Wolcott. A small stretch of construction on VT-15 held people up just momentarily as they made their way out to the test site. A confusing Y-shaped intersection also gave some people problems, as they tried to maneuver through Morrisville on their way to Wolcott.

4th Series - view from the line

The test is a Water Triple with 2 retired
guns and a flyer. The line is situated on atop a small hill,
overlooking the test. There is an honor to the right and behind the
running dog. To the left, the gunners shoot and a hen mallard is thrown
to the right. In the middle, the gunners shoot and throw a hen mallard
to the left over a little finger of water. This causes a pinched marks
situation. To the right, a live flyer is thrown to the right over some
water and it lands in the water. The left and middle gunners retire
behind a natural blinds. The
distances to the gunners are left - 125 yards, middle - 175 yards, and
right - 95 yards. The thrown bird from the left station is landing
approximately at 150 yards, and the thrown bird from the middle station
is landing approximately at 146 yards. The order of the birds is
middle, left, right.

Handlers watch as the test dogs run the 4th series

The first test dog team of Margo and Ammo started their run at 7:31 am.
Next came Dave Opseth with test dog Talla, who started at 7:41 am, who
had to handle on the left retired. After all handlers were given the
chance to view the test from the line, the marshals ushered everyone off
the line and the blinds were filled. Dog number 17, FC-AFC Crow
River's Cougar's Mad Max with Jessie Kent, started the test at 8:00 am
on the nose.

Dog number 17 starts off the 4th series

By 8:31 am, 5 dogs had run the 4th series. This computes to an average
of about 6-7 minutes per dog. Most seem to pick up the birds in the
order of right flyer, left retired, middle memory. Dogs 20 and 22 have
handled so far.

Roy Redifer watches as Mac DuBose runs the 4th series

Donald Simpson and Jock wait in the last holding blind for their shot at the 4th series

11:45 pm UpdateDue to little to no cell phone signal, the reporting has been slowed. But, now that the day is done, we are able to get you all up to speed on the happenings at series 4.The weather in fact did not hold up. Around 11:15 am, the sky behind the gallery filled with black ominous clouds and lightning illuminated the sky. Then, bolt flashed in front of the test. Just as dog 49, FC-AFC Pineacres Ebonstar China Doll was to complete his honor, the judges and field trial committee decided it was prudent to bring in the gunners and throwers and wait out the storm. Many of the onlookers in the gallery headed to also wait out the weather. At this point, 26 dogs had run, 11 of which handled. Those dogs who handled were #s 20, 22, 24, 30, 31, 34, 39, 40, 41, 43, and 47.At noon, it was announced that the test would resume. Gunners and throwers were again in the field, and dog #49 was back on the honor mat while dog #50 ran. The wind changed a bit from right to left, quartering at about 10 mph. Within an hour, we would have more thunder, teh winds would die off, and the sun would disappear.The flyer appeared to be very exciting for the dogs on line. Especially the sluicing that was happening. Not a single dog broke, but we did have a few dogs demonstrate impressive creeping in their excitement. Dog number 30 received a no-bird, so was asked to come back after 6 dogs. On his second time up to the line, he received another no-bird and was again asked to come back after 6 dogs! Third times a charm, and he was able to run with a proper flyer.

Charlie Hines and Cody wait in the last holding blindwhile Lee Jolley and Jolie run the 4th test

Even through the unpredictable weather, the judges persevered and the 4th series of the National Amateur Retriever Championship wrapped up just before 8:00 pm with dog number 15, Cuda's Negra Modelo, honoring the bye dog.Handles in the 4th series were #s 3, 4, 13, 20, 22, 24, 30, 31, 34, 39, 40, 41, 43, 47, 50, 54, 55, 60, 64, 65, 68, 71, 75, 77, 80, 81, 92, 93, 111, 117, 119, and 123.On the flip side of the coin, some really pretty jobs were seen by dogs 21, 52, 58, 76, 83, 87, 100, and 126.The 5th series is rumored to be a Land Quad back on the Simonds property, near the area of the first and second series. Callbacks are expected around 11:00 pm.12:15 am UpdateThe callbacks are in!There have been 17 dogs dropped after the 4th series. These dogs are #s 3, 14, 20, 24, 30, 35, 40, 47, 64, 65, 71, 75, 77, 81, 92, 117, 122. The remaining 77 dogs will move on to the 5th series tomorrow.Good night, and lets hope that the weather will be better for tomorrow, though the forecast is not favorable for the rest of the week.